3 credits
BME-4970
Biomedical Engineering
College of Engineering
(same as BIOL_EN 4970). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is one of the most powerful methods of investigating the structure, composition, and dynamics of atoms and molecules. It is now ubiquitous in chemistry and engineering labs, and has blossomed into one of the most successful medical imaging modalities – Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This course is an in-depth examination of the relevant physical principles behind this technology: basic spin physics, spectrometer design and implementation, what it can be used to measure, and how it is currently being used in laboratory and clinical settings. In particular, students will gain a working knowledge of basic nuclear physics, spin precession, T1 and T2 weighting mechanisms, the pulse/acquire NMR experiment, the influence of magnetic field gradients, Fourier theory and k-space, imaging principles, and the many pulse sequences currently employed in NMR/MRI research labs around the world. Prerequisites: Senior Standing or instructor consent.
Can only count for one of these categories.